Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Macerata (Agenzia Fides) – On Sunday, January 24, at 6pm, after a Mass at the Cathedral of San Giuliano of the Diocese of Macerata - Tolentino - Recanati - Cingoli - Treia, will host the first session of the Diocesan Tribunal for the Cause of Beatification of Fr. Matteo Ricci S.J. In this year marking the fourth centenary of his death, there will be a re-launching of the process of beatification of the Jesuit missionary Macerata, originally launched in April 1984, when Fr. Matteo Ricci was declared a "Servant of God." The task of the ecclesiastical court is to hear a number of witnesses to ascertain the current fame of holiness of the Servant of God. Coinciding with the opening of the case, an Historical Commission has been established to take charge of collecting all the writings and documents attributed to Father Matteo Ricci, along with those who have some reference to his figure. The Commission's work will conclude with a critical study on the writings of the Jesuit, along with a judgment as to the authenticity and value of documents on the figure of Ricci. Finally, also on Sunday, January 24, "Father Matteo Ricci Hall" at the Palazzo Sarnari, to be used for the celebrations planned for 2010, will be inaugurated and blessed. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 22/1/2010)
